What are the dates and opening hours of gamescom 2026?

gamescom 2026 takes place from August 26–30, 2026 at Koelnmesse in Cologne. Opening hours: Wednesday 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (private visitors with Wildcard only; trade visitors from 9:00 a.m.), Thursday–Friday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m .

When is gamescom Opening Night Live 2026?

Opening Night Live takes place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. CEST, hosted by Geoff Keighley .

Are tickets still available for gamescom 2026?

As of August 2026, tickets for private visitors are sold out- . Trade visitor tickets may still be available via the gamescom biz platform .

What are the ticket prices for private visitors?

Day tickets: Thursday/Friday/Sunday €31.50 (discounted €22.50); Saturday €41.00 (discounted €32.00). Family tickets: €69.50 (Thu/Fri/Sun) and €86.00 (Sat). Evening tickets (from 4:00 p.m.): €10.50 (Thu/Fri/Sun) and €13.00 (Sat). Wildcard (Wednesday from 1:00 p.m.): €65.50- .

Is there a signing area at gamescom?

Yes, there is a dedicated signing area where visitors can meet creators. Bookings are required and can be made online via the gamescom website- .

How can I report fraudulent invoices or calls?

Forward any suspicious emails to services@exhibitor.koelnmesse.de. Official invoices are sent exclusively from this address - .

gamescom Cologne 2026 | TradeShowIntel

Event overview

Overview

gamescom is the world's leading event for computer and video games, bringing together the international gaming community and the entire games industry in a unique way – both in person in Cologne and digitally- . The 2026 edition runs from August 26 to 30, with the official kick-off gamescom Opening Night Live hosted by Geoff Keighley on August 25 .

At gamescom, the variety, creativity and passion of the gaming world come together . The event is jointly organised by Koelnmesse and game – the German Games Industry Association- .

TL;DR

1gamescom 2026 takes place in Cologne from August 26–30, with Opening Night Live on.
2Theme: 'Games Spark Excitement for the Future' – spotlighting innovation, new studios, and the.
3All exhibition areas at Koelnmesse are fully booked for the first time-
4More than 40 countries already represented among exhibitors, with registration up 15% year-on-year-
5Dual B2B and B2C format: dedicated business area for trade visitors, plus public entertainment.

Why visit

gamescom is the only place where you can experience the full spectrum of gaming culture in one location. Be the first to discover and play hundreds of new games before their official release . Meet the developers in person, celebrate major brands, indies and newcomers . Nowhere else is the gaming industry closer and more present – you will meet existing and future business partners, and. Experience unique event highlights such as the gamescom city festival across Cologne, cosplay showcases, esports tournaments, tabletop and board games. gamescom is also the place for world, European and German premieres .

Why exhibit

gamescom offers a unique stage to engage gamers around the world both online and on-site . Meet business partners, create new business opportunities and extend your network . Benefit from the high level of internationality among exhibitors, trade visitors, influencers, creators and press . Build brand awareness and brand loyalty for your products . With a hybrid format, you can set highlights for communities in the entertainment or business area – reaching a global. The business area offers exclusive access to trade visitors and media, while the entertainment area puts your brand in front.

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Visitor profile

Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

Private visitors – gaming enthusiasts, cosplayers, fans and consumers attending the public entertainment area to experience new games, community activities, esports and merchandise

Trade visitors – industry professionals including developers, publishers, investors, marketing professionals, technical teams, tool providers, ad companies, media, YouTubers and streamers- . More than 34,000 trade visitors attended the 2025 edition-

Business attendees – C-level executives, business development professionals, and strategic partners using the business area and gamescom biz for networking and deal-making

Media and press – journalists, content creators and influencers covering the event and its announcements

Students and creatives – emerging talent and students from games-related programmes-

Exhibitor profile

Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

Major publishers and AAA studios – including Nintendo, Xbox, Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Capcom, Konami, Tencent Games, CD Projekt RED, Bandai Namco, Krafton, and others- -

Indie developers and small teams – featured in dedicated indie areas such as Home of Indies and Indie Arena Booth, reflecting the trend 'Small teams, huge success'- 11 -

Hardware and technology companies – PC and console manufacturers, peripheral makers, and gaming technology providers-

Game development service providers – tool providers, technical teams, and ad companies supporting the games industry-

Publishers and distributors – companies bringing games to market across all platforms and regions-

Investors and financial partners – participants in gamescom invest circle, connecting early-stage game startups with investors and strategic partners

Product categories

Key solution areas showcased across the event.

Interactive Games & Software: Video games, mobile applications, cloud gaming platforms, esports tournament titles, simulation engines

Hardware & Technology: Graphic processing units, gaming display monitors, consumer electronics, specialized computing accessories, virtual reality headsets

Merchandise & Apparel: Official merchandise, accessories, gadgets, sustainable brand apparel, custom gamer shirts, character pins, collectible media items-

Indie Games: Innovative and creative games from independent developers worldwide

Retro Gaming: Classic console games and interactive stations for nostalgic and family-friendly gaming-

Cards & Board Games: A dedicated area for card and board game enthusiasts featuring new releases and timeless classics-

Artist Area: Exclusive illustrations, artworks, and fan art from international artists (Hall 5.1)

Cosplay & Community: Cosplay Village, Event Arena for esports and shows, Family & Friends area, gamescom campus for career and education

Location & Facilities

Venue

Open in Google Maps

Halls & areas

122.12.233.244.14.255.166.1788.199.11010.1Confex

Koelnmesse

Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany

Entrances & gates

South Entrance

234Confex

Located at Köln Messe/Deutz train station. Primary access to the Business Area and Confex- .

North Entrance

5678910

Located at Zoobrücke. Primary access to the Entertainment Area- .

East Entrance

5678910

Accessible via tram lines 3 and 4 at the 'Koelnmesse' stop- - .

Floor plans & maps

Floor plan (PDF)Floor plan Hall & site plans Official venue page

Facilities

Food options

Foodclash, Various restaurants and food stalls

On-site dining

Parking: More than 15,000 parking spaces are available within walking distance of the Confex on the roofs of adjacent halls and the newly built car park . Congress visitors are asked to park at 'Parkhaus Lanxess Arena 1'- . Parking fees are €20 per day; a public transport ticket is included in the entry ticket- .

Gate: Access points include South Entrance (Bahnhof Köln Messe/Deutz), North Entrance (Zoobrücke), and East Entrance (Koelnmesse stop)- . Choose your entrance based on your transport mode and planned hall access.

Attend

Entry & tickets

Event days & opening times

DayOpening hours

Private visitorsWed 26 Aug 1:00 PM

–7:00 PM., Thu 27 Aug – Fri 28 Aug 10:00 AM

–8:00 PM., Sat 29 Aug – Sun 30 Aug 9:00 AM

–8:00 PM

Trade visitorsWed 26 Aug – Fri 28 Aug 9:00 AM

(business area closes at7:00 PM

Event dayson Wed)

Event daysBusiness area closed Sat–Sun

ExhibitorsWed 26 Aug 7:00 AM

–8:00 PM., Thu 27 Aug – Sun 30 Aug 7:00 AM

–9:00 PM

Event days(business area closed Sat–Sun)

Day ticket (Thu, Fri, Sun)
Standard private visitor day ticket
€31.50
Day ticket discounted (Thu, Fri, Sun)
For pupils, students, trainees, pensioners, seniors over 65, severely disabled persons, voluntary social service workers
€22.50
Day ticket (Sat)
Standard private visitor day ticket for Saturday
€41.00
Day ticket discounted (Sat)
Reduced private visitor day ticket for Saturday
€32.00
Family ticket (Thu, Fri, Sun)
Valid for max 5 people: 1–2 adults and 1–3 children aged 7–12
€69.50
Family ticket (Sat)
Valid for max 5 people: 1–2 adults and 1–3 children aged 7–12
€86.00
Evening ticket (Thu, Fri, Sun)
Access from 4:00 p.m
€10.50
Evening ticket (Sat)
Access from 4:00 p.m
€13.00
Wildcard (Wed)
Private visitor access to entertainment area on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. (trade visitor & media day)
€65.50
gamescom congress day ticket
Valid only for gamescom congress on 27 August 2026; separate gamescom ticket required
€111.00
gamescom congress day ticket discounted
For educators and students; valid only for gamescom congress on 27 August 2026
€40.00

Ticket info

Badge collection

Reduced tickets require valid identification (e.g., student ID, disability pass) to be presented at the entrance . Children aged 4-6 receive a free ticket upon age verification at the entrance .

Ticket notes

Private visitor tickets are day-specific. Wednesday is a trade visitor and media day; private visitors require a Wildcard for access from 1:00 p.m . Trade visitor tickets are personal and must be legitimized in advance; they include access to the business area and entertainment area (Wed–Fri) . The business area is closed to the public on Saturday and Sunday .

Build-up & tear-down

Setup starts26 Aug 2026

Setup ends30 Aug 2026

Teardown starts26 Aug 2026

Teardown ends30 Aug 2026

Who runs the show

Organisers

Koelnmesse GmbH

Co-organiser, venue operator

Email Call Website

game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche e.V.

Co-organiser, German Games Industry Association

Website

Christiane Gehrke

HOME of INDIES Contact

Email Call Website

What's on

Programme

Keynote

Keynote / Panel

TBA

Event days

09:00–22:00

Typical time

Official agenda

This agenda is still being finalised. Check the official agenda for the latest sessions.

Speakers

Amir Satvat

Business Development Director @ Tencent Games

Opening Keynote: 'The Games Industry Reset: What Happened and What Comes Next?'

Samuel Holley

Lead Gameplay Engineer and Designer @ Sucker Punch Productions

'Clues and Camping in Ghost of Yōtei: Curating Guided Exploration Through a Non-Linear Open World'

Yiyi Zhang

Director and Founder @ Gumbo Collective / Women in Games NYC

'Side-Stepping Into (or out of) Game Dev'

Jyro Blade

Co-Founder and Head of Gaming @ blAng Productions / Moku

'Side-Stepping Into (or out of) Game Dev'

Mike Jungbluth

Animation and Realisation Director @ Compulsion Games

'South of Midnight: My Tales and Takeaways'; Co-curator of Animation Track

Noor Amin

Senior Game Designer @ Riot Games

'Bringing Mayhem to ARAM: Effective R&D Processes for Game Modes'

Seth Rosen

Speaker @ Short for a Knight

Systems design behind Pacific Drive

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Federal President of Germany @ Federal Republic of Germany

Opening address at gamescom congress 2026

Jörg Friedrich

Founder @ Paintbucket Games

Panel: 'Saving the World Through Play: What Games and Their Communities Are Achieving'

Prof. Dr. Sabiha Ghellal

Professor of Experience and Game Design

Panel: 'Saving the World Through Play: What Games and Their Communities Are Achieving'

Peter Smits

Content Creator and Founder @ PietSmiet

Panel: 'Saving the World Through Play: What Games and Their Communities Are Achieving'

Nathanael Liminski

Minister and Head of the State Chancellery @ North Rhine-Westphalia

Panel: 'Games for Democracy: What They Can and Cannot Do'

Nick Apostolides

Actor (Leon S. Kennedy) @ Resident Evil Requiem

Co-host of Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026

Angela Sant'Albano

Actor (Grace Ashcroft) @ Resident Evil Requiem

Co-host of Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026

09:00 – 10:00

gamescom dev Opening Keynote by Amir Satvat

Keynote

Keynote StageConfex

10:00 – 11:30

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Keynote & Panel

Keynote / Panel

Congress StageConfex

11:00 – 11:50

Designing Adaptive Audio Systems for Scalable Games

Panel

Audio StageConfex

13:00 – 13:50

Building a New & European Game Engine in the Age of AI

Panel

Congress StageConfex

14:00 – 14:50

Clues and Camping in Ghost of Yōtei

Talk

Dev StageConfex

19:00 – 22:00

gamescom Opening Night Live 2026

Keynote / Show

Opening Night Live StageKoelnmesse

Topic tracks

Arts, Visuals & VFXAudio & Sound DesignBusinessCommunity ManagementCulture, Diversity, Accessibility & InclusionGame DesignLeadership & HRMental HealthMobileMultiplayerNarrative DesignPR & MarketingProductionResearch & EducationTech & CodingUX / UIVR / XRAI TrackAnimation TrackLevel Design TrackPlaying Field DemocracyThe Games Effect

Co-located events

gamescom dev

Separate ticket

gamescom congress

Separate ticket

gamescom Opening Night Live

Separate ticket

Future Games Show at Gamescom

Separate ticket

gamescom GDQ (Games Done Quick)

Separate ticket

gamescom Campus

Separate ticket

Co-located seminars

gamescom dev Leadership Summit

Paid

gamescom dev CTO Lunch

Paid

gamescom dev Community Night

Paid

gamescom dev Awards

Paid

Awards

gamescom award

Annual

The gamescom award honors outstanding games, booths, exhibitors, and trailers presented at gamescom. Winners are determined by an expert jury and the community. The award is organized by the Foundation for Digital Games Culture. Nominations are announced on August 24, 2026, and winners are revealed live on August 28, 2026

Arts Group (e.g., Best Audio, Best Game Design, Best Narrative, Best Visuals)Platform Group (Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Sony PlayStation, Mobile)Global Group (Best Trailer, Best Announcement, Best Booth, Best Merch)HEART OF GAMING Award (special Jury Prize)

source

Government supporters

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Federal President of Germany (opens gamescom congress with keynote)

Lars Klingbeil

Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance (opens gamescom 2026)

Dorothee Bär

Federal Minister of Research, responsible for games at federal level (opens gamescom 2026)

Hendrik Wüst

Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia (confirmed for opening)

Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication (Morocco)

Supports Morocco's first national participation at gamescom 2026

Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center (EKKOMED)

Supports Greek National Delegation with state backing

Flanders Investment & Trade

Supports Belgian Pavilion logistics and PR

VAF Game

Supports Belgian Pavilion logistics and PR

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Current edition

2026 · 254,000 visitors · 283 exhibitors

All exhibition space sold out for the first time- ; floor area unchanged at 233,000 sqm gross (includes aisles and open areas)- ; exhibitor and visitor counts not yet disclosed- ; organisers are exploring expansion for 2027 to meet demand- .

Forecast — not final

Visitors

357,000

Exhibitors

1,568

Floor area (sqm)

233,000

Exhibitor countries

Visitor countries

128

Growth over time

Edition recap

gamescom 2025 concluded with record-breaking attendance of 357,000 visitors from 128 countries, marking a 6.5% increase over 2024. The event hosted 1,568 exhibitors from 72 countries (70% foreign share) across 233,000 square metres of exhibition space. Trade visitors exceeded 34,000, with the strongest growth from the US, China, Canada, and Japan. Digital reach hit new highs with over 630 million video views across the show programme by Saturday evening (+105% YoY), including 72 million views for Opening Night Live (+80%).

The event featured 40 country pavilions representing 35 countries, with first-time pavilions from official partner country Thailand, Dubai, and Kyrgyzstan. The relocated event arena, an additional hall for the entertainment area, a larger indie area, and expanded outdoor spaces delivered an enhanced visitor experience. The devcom developer conference (now gamescom dev) grew 6% to 5,400 attendees, and the gamescom congress exceeded 1,000 attendees for the first time (+10%). Around 80,000 people attended the gamescom city festival in downtown Cologne.

Political interest was at an all-time high with over 600 politicians attending, including Federal Minister Bär and Federal Minister for Family Affairs Karin Prien. The event also saw strong international delegations from Thailand, Brazil, Indonesia, and India.

New this edition

1
gamescom GDQ (Games Done Quick)
Three-day speedrunning marathon from August 28–30, 2026, marking the first-ever European event from Games Done Quick, the leading organiser of charity speedrunning events. Produced in partnership with gamescom
Source
2
Enhanced gamescom biz platform
An updated all-in-one digital platform bringing all services into a single interface, allowing users to manage contacts, schedule meetings, book business area spaces, and access event updates with one login. Features include advance meeting scheduling, networking tools, and centralized content management
Source
3
gamescom Business Ticket
A new ticket category for trade visitors offering flexible 5-day, 3-day, or 1-day options. Business Tickets include access to the business area, entertainment area, and can be combined with gamescom dev admission in a weekly package
Source
4
Expanded gamescom awesome indies show
The indie showcase format is being developed further together with IGN, providing independent developer studios with additional international visibility and reinforcing gamescom's role as a platform for indie game variety
Source
5
Extended accessibility guidelines
From 2026, exhibitors receive extended accessibility guidelines, with an additional awareness counter in the north of the venue and an enlarged team to support inclusive participation
Source

Testimonials

gamescom 2025 sets new standards. Bigger, more diverse and more international than ever before, the most important festival of gaming culture underscores the positive force that games, the industry and the global community represent.
Felix Falk · Managing Director · game – The German Games Industry Association · 2025

gamescom 2025 has once again set a new standard for large-scale international events. gamescom combines business and entertainment like no other event worldwide, as shown by the 1,568 exhibitors spread across 233,000 square meters of gross exhibition space.
Gerald Böse · President and Chief Executive Officer · Koelnmesse · 2025

Gamescom gave me so much in terms of understanding where our product sits in the market and what strategies other similar products and companies are using for success.
Emma Losin · Co-Founder · Mental Jam · 2025

For the first time, I was there as an exhibitor, proudly showcasing Anno 117: Pax Romana. It still feels surreal to say that we got to share our game with our wholesome community and were honored with the awards for Best PC Game and Best Booth!
Jannik Lietz · Exhibitor · Ubisoft · 2025

Next edition outlook

high

Following the complete sell-out of all exhibition space for gamescom 2026—a first in the event's history—organizers game – The German Games Industry Association and Koelnmesse are actively developing expansion concepts for 2027. The goal is to accommodate increasing exhibitor demand, unlock additional growth potential, and improve the overall visitor experience. The 2026 edition expanded by 3,000 sqm, yet demand continues to outpace supply, prompting discussions about further venue enlargement from 2027 onwards

Expansion of exhibition grounds to accommodate growing exhibitor demand and improve visitor flow Potential reallocation of space to better manage crowd density and enhance the on-site experience Continued investment in new community formats and digital reach, building on the success of 2025 and 2026 Possible integration of additional halls or outdoor areas to increase capacity

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

gamescom 2025 reinforced its position as the world's leading gaming event, breaking records across all key metrics. The 6.5% increase in attendance to 357,000 visitors and 7.3% growth in exhibitors to 1,568 demonstrated the industry's robust recovery and global appeal. The 70% international exhibitor share and 128 visitor countries underscored its unmatched global reach. Digital engagement soared to over 630 million views, a 105% year-on-year increase, reflecting the event's successful hybrid model. The expansion of exhibition space to 233,000 sqm, new country pavilions (Thailand, Dubai, Kyrgyzstan), and enhanced visitor experiences (relocated event arena, larger indie area) set a new standard. The event also provided significant momentum for the German games industry, with over 600 politicians attending and strong international delegations -

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

gamescom 2025 attracted a high-quality, diverse, and international audience. With 357,000 visitors from 128 countries, the event drew a global cross-section of gaming enthusiasts, industry professionals, and media. The trade visitor segment exceeded 34,000, with particularly strong growth from key markets including the US, China, Canada, and Japan, indicating the event's importance for business networking and deal-making. The high internationality (70% of exhibitors from abroad) and the presence of 40 country pavilions reflect a premium, globally-minded attendee base

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Exhibitors at gamescom 2025 reported strong return on investment, driven by record visitor numbers, high internationality, and extensive media coverage. The 1,568 exhibitors from 72 countries benefited from direct access to 357,000 consumers and over 34,000 trade visitors, facilitating both B2C sales and B2B partnerships. The 70% foreign exhibitor share underscores the event's global reach Digital amplification—over 630 million views—extended exhibitor visibility far beyond the physical venue. The presence of major publishers alongside indie developers and the expanded indie area provided a platform for diverse business goals, from brand launches to community engagement

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Global (with strong European anchor and expanding Asia-Pacific and Latin American presence)

Why it matters

gamescom 2026 is the world's largest event for computer and video games, serving as the central platform for the global games industry and a meeting point for millions of fans worldwide—both on location in Cologne and digitally. For the first time in its history, all available exhibition space is fully booked, following a record-setting 2025 event that drew 357,000 visitors from 128 countries and 1,568 exhibitors from 72 countries. The sell-out signals unprecedented demand from publishers, developers, and gaming communities, with exhibitor registrations up 15% year-over-year gamescom uniquely bridges B2B and B2C: the business area attracts over 34,000 trade visitors for networking and deal-making, while the entertainment area offers hands-on access to hundreds of new games, esports, cosplay, and community experiences. The 2026 edition features high-level political attendance including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, underscoring the industry's growing economic and societal relevance. With major publishers (Xbox, Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft, Capcom, Konami, Tencent Games) and new formats like gamescom GDQ, the event is a critical barometer for gaming trends, business strategy, and community engagement

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Saving the world through play

The games community is exceptionally passionate and committed, demonstrated through speedrunning and creator streams that donate millions for good causes—from the fight against cancer to support for democracy. Petitions and demonstrations staged within games further reflect this commitment. The trend shines a light on the community's often underestimated power and its important contribution to social challenges

Source

Small teams, huge success

While major blockbusters cost hundreds of millions and reach millions of players, small indie games are increasingly enjoying enormous success worldwide. It has never been easier for creative minds to turn ideas into reality, develop high-quality games, and reach global communities. The trend picks up on the growing relevance of indie games, especially evident in gamescom's indie area

Source

AI-assisted development as the most significant industry shift

According to the 2026 gamescom dev Speaker Survey of 100 speakers, AI-assisted development is expected to have the greatest impact on the games industry over the next three years (47% of respondents). 83% expect AI to affect team structure or productivity; 36% believe AI will change roles rather than reduce teams, while 33% expect smaller team sizes. Economic uncertainty (54%) remains the industry's biggest current challenge, followed by market saturation (38%), discoverability (35%), and increasing development costs (30%)

Source

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

gamescom 2026 sells out all exhibition space for the first time ever

Read

gamescom 2026 launches ticket sales with record exhibitor registrations

Read

gamescom dev speaker survey: AI, smaller teams, and leadership at centre of industry change

Read

gamescom dev speaker survey: AI, smaller teams, and leadership at centre of industry change

Read

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to visit gamescom 2026 and open gamescom congress

Read

Global Gaming & Esports Event Circuit 2026

July–November 2026

The global gaming event calendar in 2026 is more diverse and geographically spread than ever. gamescom in Cologne remains Europe's largest gaming event with a significant B2B layer, but the circuit now includes major events across Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Key anchors include gamescom asia (now in Bangkok), gamescom latam (São Paulo), Tokyo Game Show, and the Esports World Cup (Paris). For European business, gamescom dev (August 23–25) is the continent's biggest dedicated conference for developers and publishers, while Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki provides a concentrated dealmaking window for mobile and cross-media gaming

26–30 Aug 2026

Esports World Cup 2026

Paris, France

Seven-week tournament with €70M+ prize pool, 25 titles. Moved from Riyadh to Paris for 2026. Runs through 23 August, overlapping with gamescom dev

website

26–30 Aug 2026

gamescom dev 2026

Cologne, Germany

Europe's biggest dedicated conference for developers and publishers. Kicks off gamescom week. Features 100+ speakers, co-curated tracks on AI, Animation, and Level Design

website

26–30 Aug 2026

gamescom 2026

Cologne, Germany

World's largest gaming event. Fully sold out for first time. B2B business area (Halls 2–4) plus massive B2C entertainment area. Features Opening Night Live (Aug 25), gamescom GDQ, and expanded indie showcase

website

26–30 Aug 2026

Tokyo Game Show 2026

Chiba, Japan

30th anniversary edition, running five days for the first time. Dedicated business days on 17–18 September. Features new AI Technology Pavilion. Asia's principal publisher showcase

website

26–30 Aug 2026

Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki 2026

Helsinki, Finland

Nordics' biggest games-industry gathering. ~1,500 professionals, 25+ tracks on monetisation, funding, and AI. Co-located AI Gamechangers and Transmedia summits. Key dealmaking window for mobile and cross-media gaming

website

26–30 Aug 2026

gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2026

Bangkok, Thailand

First edition after moving from Singapore. Combines large consumer festival with dedicated B2B business area for developers, publishers, and distributors across Asia-Pacific. Anchor date for Southeast Asian gaming activations -

website

26–30 Aug 2026

gamescom latam 2026

São Paulo, Brazil

Record-breaking 2026 edition with 154,000+ visitors (+17.5% YoY). Brazil is the leading hub for the games industry in the Global South and an extremely strong consumer market. Featured panels on industry trends, workshops, competitions, and meet-and-greet sessions

website

August – European Gaming Week

Esports World Cup (until Aug 23)Gamescom Dev (Aug 23–25)Gamescom (Aug 26–30)

The most concentrated period for European gaming business, with the Esports World Cup finale overlapping gamescom dev.

September – Asian Post-Season

Tokyo Game Show (Sep 17–21)

Key window for Asian publisher announcements and B2B networking after gamescom.

October–November – Q4 Global Circuit

Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki (Oct 20–21)Gamescom Asia X Thailand Game Show (Oct 29 – Nov 1)

Year-end dealmaking window in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Event dates and descriptions compiled from Shikenso, Events for Gamers, and official gamescom sources. gamescom latam 2026 data from official press releases.

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · EUR

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

CGN

Cologne Bonn Airport

Take the train S19 (towards Düren) from Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) to the 'Deutz/Messe' stop (journey time approx. 15 minutes); from there the footpath to the venue is signposted

13.5 km

to venue

15–20 min

by car

DUS

Düsseldorf Airport

Other nearby airport with international flight connections

~60 km

to venue

~45–60 min

by car

FRA

Frankfurt Airport

Other nearby airport with international flight connections

~190 km

to venue

~2 h

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Budget

City centre / Deutz / along S-Bahn lines

USD 77–150 / night

Hostels, basic hotels, and budget chains like ibis budget, a&o, and Premier Inn. Expect small rooms, often without air conditioning, and prices that triple during gamescom week- - . Book months in advance.

Mid-range

City centre / near Messe / Deutz

USD 150–300 / night

Includes chains like Leonardo, Courtyard by Marriott, Motel One, Dorint, and Radisson Blu. Many are within walking distance of Koelnmesse- . Offers good value and amenities.

Premium

City centre / riverside / Deutz

USD 300–600 / night

Includes Maritim, Hyatt Regency, Hilton, and Cologne Marriott- . Often booked by exhibitors and VIPs. Located in prime areas with full services.